A Peaceful Path though Conflict

Mediation offers a better way to move forward in times of conflict. Instead of handing decisions over to a court, mediation gives you both a voice and the opportunity to shape agreements that truly fit your family. It’s a confidential, structured process facilitated by a neutral professional who helps you communicate clearly, reduce conflict, and make thoughtful choices about what comes next.

Mediation is often faster, more affordable, and far less stressful than traditional legal routes. But more importantly, it helps preserve dignity, respect, and stability, especially when children are involved. Whether you’re navigating a separation, redefining your co-parenting relationship, or resolving ongoing tension, mediation offers clarity and calm in the middle of change.

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How Mediation Helps

  • Mediation gives you a structured, guided space to work through the hard conversations, parenting schedules, communication expectations, finances, and day-to-day logistics, without escalating tension. You get support staying focused, calm, and productive so you can make decisions that are durable, private and a fit for this new version of your family.

  • Compared to lawyers or court, mediation is faster, more affordable, and far less draining. You stay in control of the process and the outcome, instead of handing it over to a system that can take months (or years). Mediation helps you get to resolution without the cost, chaos, or uncertainty of litigation.

  • Mediation keeps the focus on what matters most: creating a cooperative, predictable, healthy environment for your children. You work together to build parenting plans, communication boundaries, and routines that reduce stress and set everyone up for long-term success.

Meet the Mediator

Kelly Linehan, MACP
Mediator, Registered Counselling Therapist (Candidate) Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

I have been lucky enough to be trained by one of the pioneering family mediators in Canada, Jennifer Suzor with the Insight Mediation technique as well as by internationally renown mediator, Jacinta Gallant.

Insight Mediation is based on a learning-centered model: the mediator helps parties generate insights about what they care about, why they act the way they do, and how they interpret each other.

  1. These insights come from curious, non-judgmental listening and structured questioning.

  2. The goal is not just to negotiate a deal, but to promote genuine understanding and transformation

Mediation is child-centred, which means the best interest of the child or children is always the guiding light. With my background in counselling and a deep understanding of conflict and family law, I help families create a new future with less acrimony and a lasting agreement.

FAQs

How Does Mediation work?

If both parties agree, mediation begins with an intake session each, and then joint sessions. The main areas most people concentrate on are property, parenting and support. We begin where suits best and work through constructive conversation to create meaningful and durable agreements that are tailored to your new version of family.

Does Mediation Work?

According to a Canadian Bar Association survey, 90% of lawyers said mediation produced results in their clients’ interests.

  1. 85% said mediated solutions were in their children’s interests.

  2. 83% believed mediation made future cooperation easier (vs only 6% who said that about litigation).

  3. Lawyers also rated mediation as more cost-effective (78%) and efficient (69%) than litigation.

Is Mediation Legally Binding?

Clients often ask how agreements become enforceable in Canada and whether they need a lawyer to “finalize” things. The short answer is yes. The mediation report is not legally binding until both parties take it to a lawyer to draft a Separation Agreement.

How Expensive is Mediation?

Mediation sessions are $250 per hour of in-session time as well as drafting time. The number of sessions depends on the complexity of issues but many will create a mediation report in three sessions. These, along with an intake per person and drafting time comes to around $1500. Most will share this cost and intakes can be submitted for insurance reimbursement.

What Happens if We Don’t Get Along?

Yes. Mediation is specifically designed for people who aren’t getting along. You don’t need to be on good terms for the process to work, you just need a willingness to try. A skilled mediator creates structure and keeps the conversation focused so you don’t have to manage the conflict on your own.

Do We Meet Together or Separately?

I know it can feel uncomfortable but meeting together often creates the best results. I work virtually primarily so each couple will likely be in the same Zoom room with the option to take a break whenever needed. In the event of abuse or high-conflict, there is what is called “shuttle mediation” where I go in between each person and the two never meet, even in the Zoom room.

Let’s work together.